Cooler Shield

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a removable liner for protecting the inner surface of a cooler from scratches and assisting with alleviating nasty odors that could mean an unpleasant experience for the user. The present invention is a specially designed cooler shield that is effective at creating a barrier between stored items and the inner surface of a cooler. This type of barrier is ideal to preserve the appearance of a cooler while in use. The liner can be manufactured using a variety of materials that are effective at shielding against damage and can be washed with household detergent.

COPYRIGHT AND TRADEMARK NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

BACKGROUND

Conventional coolers are manufactured with an exposed inner surface that is generally made of some form of hard plastic material. The entire inner surface of most coolers is covered with this plastic. This surface is often in contact with the contents of the cooler. To illustrate, if a user is an avid fisher and frequently places ice and oysters in a traditional cooler then over time the cooler may eventually start to smell like seafood or the surface may be scarfed due to the impact of the oyster shells overtime. At times when the cooler is needed for more sociable events such as picnics; this could render the cooler unpleasant to use due to its appearance and or smell. Most individuals are left with purchasing multiple coolers which over a life time can accumulate a large number of coolers that are never used but rather stored away for other uses such as a storage bin. According to inc.com Yeti coolers grossed $29 million over a three-year period. This is an indication of how much consumers can spend on coolers over a small period of time.

Most individuals never consider the amount of wear and tear involved with using a cooler for various recreational purposes. Since the inner surface of the cooler is not detachable then it is impossible to alter the appearance of the surface or protect the surface from damage. The result of such damage can mean reduced use and ultimately a discarded cooler or one that is stored away by the user for other purposes besides its intended purpose.

Users have dealt with traditional coolers but are eager to embrace a new invention that would not only shield the inner surface of the cooler from damage but will maintain the original appearance of the cooler not to mention cost savings. Although the use of coolers can vary; the appearance and condition of the cooler can be preserved.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The proposed invention is a removable liner that allows users to benefit from a broader range of protection and cosmetic benefits for various coolers no matter the size or geometry. Using special means of securely adjusting the liner to the size and geometry of the cooler is what the present embodiment will provide for those who wish to preserve the condition of their cooler. A version of the invention can be taken in and out of the cooler for washing depending on the user's preference. The current practice of using coolers for many who take part in activities that frequently requires the use of coolers mean that some consumers have regrettably accepted that a damaged appearance comes with the territory when using a cooler. The proposed cooler shield will make life easier while owning and using coolers and in fact will allow users to preserve their existing coolers without having to purchase an excessive amount of coolers over time. The present invention can be placed inside the cooler's compartment and used in a manner to shield from contamination or damage to the inner surface.

The cooler shield can be made from various materials that will make the liner softer and more flexible but at the same time rigid enough to shield the inner surface walls of the cooler from damage. The inner and outer panels of the cooler shield will serve as partitions between the cooler wall and a foreign object stored inside the cooler. It is critical that the cooler shield is made from material that is porous yet stratified to allow water due to melting ice to flow through and also allow for proper cleaning when necessary. Furthermore, since the proposed invention may include a means for securely tightening the liner around edges of the cooler's opening then the material will need to be foldable.

The proposed invention can also be folded for storage when not in use. The cooler shield will include a corrugated design to allow sections to overlap. This option will give consumers the ability to store the liner after washing or just simply stashing extra liners when needed. Additionally, the cooler shield will be manufactured in various standard sizes and geometry to ensure that the consumer can properly use a liner for any standard sized cooler.

The cooler shield is an invention that will offer users a convenient and sanitary solution to the conventional use of coolers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain illustrative embodiments illustrating objects and advantages may be best understood by reference detailed description that follows taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a front-view of the cooler shield consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a front-view of the cooler shield being inserted into a standard cooler consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure of such embodiments is to be considered as an example of the principles and not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described. In the description below, like reference numerals are used to describe the same, similar or corresponding parts in the several views of the drawings.

The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one, or more than one. The term “plurality”, as used herein, is defined as two, or more than two. The term “another”, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having”, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled”, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.

Reference throughout this document to “one embodiment”, “certain embodiments”, “an exemplary embodiment” or similar terms means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of such phrases or in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments without limitation.

Reference throughout this document to “pocket” or similar terms refers to a small pocket that allows items to be inserted for purposes of storage for a user's personal or recreational products. Thus, the appearance of similar phrases throughout this specification may not be limited to just the term “pocket” but when the description refers to a means of storage then it may be inferred that the description refers to a pocket.

Reference throughout this document to “layer” or “panel” refers to the portions of the invention that make up the inner and outer wall of the proposed liner. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments without limitations.

Reference throughout this document to attachment loops refers to any method of securing external devices to the liner such as straps but is not limited to this example. Therefore, where ever this specification refers to any means of attachment it will not be limited to any specific means of attachment but rather any number of attachment methods may be combined to create an attachment loop for purposes of the present embodiment.

The material a liner is made of is an essential aspect to the liner because it determines the quality of the product and dictates the level of durability. From a durability perspective, the type of material that the liner is made of affects how well the liner will stand up to normal wear and tear as well as protect the inner surface of the cooler. In common use of conventional coolers, manufacturers do not apply components or additional protective surface to the inner surface of the cooler for purposes of preventing any damage associated with storing objects inside of the cooler. In a non-limiting example, because the appearance of the cooler is important to use a liner designed by using a combination of flexible yet rigid material can be used to provide a satisfactory experience for the user. The compartment surface of conventional coolers does little to provide an adequate level of protection. To elaborate, conventional coolers allows for damage to the inner compartment area of the cooler since the typical cooler is manufactured by using such materials as organic polymers, thermoplastics, and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) material; this type of commonly used plastic material does little for impact resistance and can leave scuff marks when hard objects such as cans come in contact with the surface. Additionally, this type of plastic shell can also absorb odors which can be inconvenient for users.

In the exemplary embodiment, the current invention consists of an adjustable liner that may be manufactured as a disposable liner or non-disposable liner depending on the user's preference and purpose. In one embodiment the liner can be made of disposable material that maybe discarded following its intended use. As an example, where the user has used the liner to store wild meat following a hunting expedition then the liner can be discarded since the meat would contaminate the liner. In an alternate embodiment the liner can be manufactured by using a non-disposable material that can be washed and reused. For instance, where the contents of the cooler include ordinary items such as sandwiches or juices then the liner maybe reused instead of being immediately discarded following an initial use.

In the exemplary embodiment, the current invention consists of a unique durable material which may also include inner pockets attached to the inside surface of the liner at a location that allows items to be inserted in a manner that will prevent impact. In an alternate embodiment, the liner can be manufactured with optional loops attached to the inner surface of the liner. The optional loops are used to secure items such as a cork opener or similar items during transportation. The cooler liner allows the user to confidently store items in a cooler without worrying about damage during use of the cooler. The liner maybe easily removed after each use and can be washed prior to each subsequent use. In a non-limiting example, the pocket and the loops can be made of an ultra-soft material that provides an extra comfortable barrier to prevent impact to other stored items in the cooler.

In an additional embodiment, the cooler shield may include a variety of different configurations, by example, Velcro® attachments can be used for the attachment loops allowing users to attach personal items to the inner surface of the liner without the difficulty of removing other stored items in the event the item cannot be removed without great difficulty due to positioning.

In an alternate embodiment, the cooler shield may be used for all types of recreational and non-recreational purposes that require a durable liner. The shield can be configured to address concerns by various professionals who in a non-limiting example may desire to protect the surface of critical components such as for medical purposes for instance.

Turning now to FIG. 1, this figure presents a front-view of the cooler shield for an exemplary diagram consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. A cooler shield 100, that is used for protecting the inner surface of a cooler by inserting the shield into the storage compartment of a cooler. The pocket article 130 secures personal items for a user. The front panel 140 and side panel 120 of the cooler shield rests against the inner wall of the cooler as the shield is placed inside the compartment. When the cooler shield 100 is placed in the cooler and the overlapped edges 170 rests along the top edge of the cooler then a user may securely tighten the edge of the shield around the edge of the cooler by pulling and securing the draw strings 160. Once the cooler shield is securely fitted inside the cooler then the user may place goods and other items inside the storage portion. The inner surface portion 110 of the cooler shield serves as an extra support layer that prevents damage to the cooler surface.

Turning now to FIG. 2, this figure presents a front-view of the proposed invention for an exemplary diagram of the cooler shield consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. The schematic illustrates the cooler shield 200, being placed inside of a cooler 230. The schematic depicts the side surfaces 220 of the cooler shield securely resting on the walls of the cooler 230. The illustration 200 is intended to demonstrate how the cooler shield fits inside the compartment wall of a cooler 230. The schematic further depicts the positioning of the overlapped edges of the cooler shield 200. 

1. A liner for an interior compartment of a cooler having a lid, an upper edge surface, the liner comprising: an outer surface; an inner surface mated to opposite side of said outer surface; a left, right, front, rear, bottom sides; a tubular hem that extends along a top rim of said liner; a draw string that is inserted inside of said tubular hem; at least one pocket attached to said inner surface; and at least one loop attached to said inner surface.
 2. The liner of claim 1; wherein said liner is further designed in a disposable and non-disposal version.
 3. The liner of claim 2; wherein said non-disposable version is further made to collapse at its four corners for storage.
 4. The liner of claim 1; wherein said outer and inner surfaces of said non-disposable version is made of a durable material.
 5. The liner of claim 4; wherein said inner surface is further designed to hold moisture.
 6. The liner of claim 1; wherein the top rim is formed to lie in a plane substantially symmetrical to said upper edge surface of the cooler, the top rim having a thickness which cooperates with and prevents interference with the cooler's lid.
 7. The liner of claim 1; wherein the liner having a substantially flat or slightly curved bottom surface which substantially registers with a bottom surface of the cooler's interior compartment.
 8. The liner of claim 7; the cooler having said interior compartment, the liner being adapted for placement within the cooler so that its outer surface register with the interior compartment of the cooler.
 9. The liner of claim 6; wherein the liner's top rim is coupled to the bottom edge of said tubular hem.
 10. The liner of claim 2; wherein said tubular hem of said disposable version further has an attached elastic securing band that allows the top rim of the disposable version to retract along an adjacent supporting surface.
 11. The liner of claim 1; wherein said tubular hem is further designed to form a tunnel-like aperture for receiving said draw string.
 12. The liner of claim 10; wherein said tubular hem further can be easily stretched to a sufficient diameter that will allow the hem to be expanded and relaxed.
 13. The liner of claim 1; wherein said draw string is made of a durable material to withstand abrasion.
 14. The liner of claim 1; wherein said draw string can be further used to secure said top rim of liner hem in a fastened position.
 15. The liner of claim 1; wherein said pocket is designed to hold ordinary consumables.
 16. The liner of claim 1; wherein said loop is designed from a stretchable material. 